Sports Garment

ABSTRACT

A sports garment capable of producing the same effects as taping, and of preventing various sports injuries is provided through a simple method in which a taping theory is applied to actively endow a sports garment with frictional resistance with respect to a body (skin surface) so as to create an environment in which muscles, joints, and other parts move in appropriate ranges. 
     A garment body ( 2 ) is formed using a material that has low frictional resistance and slides easily against the skin surface of a body ( 1 ); a resistance lining part ( 3 ) is formed on the internal surface of the garment body ( 2 ) using a material that has high frictional resistance and does not easily slide against the skin surface of a body ( 1 ); and the resistance lining part ( 3 ) is formed in a direction whereby the same effects are obtained as a taping effect in which tape is wrapped onto a body ( 1 ) to restrict movement of muscles, joints, and other parts so as to prevent contusions, bruising, muscle strain, sprain, bone fracture, and other injury.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a sports garment capable of preventingcontusions, bruising, muscle strain, and other sports injuries when thesports garment is worn during sports activities.

BACKGROUND ART

The present applicant has invented a sports garment whereby the sameeffects as taping are obtained and contusions, bruising, muscle strain,and other sports injuries are prevented through a simple method in whicha taping theory in sports science is applied to actively form a parthaving a difference in elasticity in a sports garment (see JapanesePatent No. 2732394).

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

[Problems to Be Solved by the Invention]

The present invention was developed through further research based onthe invention described above.

[Means for Overcoming the Above-mentioned Problems]

A summary of the present invention will be given with reference to theaccompanying drawings.

The sports garment of the present invention is characterized in that agarment body 2 for adhering to a body 1 is formed using a material thathas low frictional resistance and slides easily against the skin surfaceof a body 1; a resistance lining part 3 is formed on the internalsurface of the garment body 2 by using a material that has highfrictional resistance and does not easily slide against the skin surfaceof a body 1; a position at which the resistance lining part 3 adheres toa skin surface of the body 1 varies less easily than that of anotheradhering internal surface of the garment body 2; the garment body 2 andthe resistance lining part 3 are formed so as to be elastic; anelasticity of the resistance lining part 3 is set so as to be less thanan elasticity of the garment body 2; and the resistance lining part 3 isformed in a direction whereby the same effects are obtained as a tapingeffect in which tape is wrapped onto a body 1 to restrict movement ofmuscles, joints, and other parts so as to prevent contusions, bruising,muscle strain, sprain, bone fracture, and other injury.

The sports garment according to a second aspect is characterized in thatthe resistance lining part 3 is bonded and fixed to an internal surfaceof the garment body 2.

[Effect of the Invention]

Through a structure such as the one described above, the presentinvention provides a markedly superior sports garment capable ofproducing the same effects as taping, and of preventing contusions,bruising, muscle strain, and other sports injuries through a simplemethod in which a taping theory in sports science is applied to activelyendow a sports garment with frictional resistance with respect to a body(skin surface) so as to create an environment in which muscles, joints,and other parts move in appropriate ranges.

The present invention also provides an extremely practical andinnovative sports garment whereby the aforementioned actions/effects canbe obtained merely by wearing the sports garment of the presentinvention on the body, without the need for inconvenient taping.

In the present invention, since the resistance lining part alwaysadheres to the skin surface of the body when the garment is worn, asports garment is provided that has even more superior practicality anddemonstrates the aforementioned operations/effects extremelyeffectively.

In the present invention, since the resistance lining part is elastic,there is no extreme impediment to movement when the sports garment isworn, and excellent ease of movement is obtained. The resistance liningpart is also elastic, but has little elasticity in relation to thegarment body and does not stretch in the same manner as the garmentbody. A sports garment is therefore provided that reliably supportsmuscles and other parts, produces the aforementioned taping effects, andhas excellent practicality.

In the invention according to the second aspect, a garment body having aresistance lining part can easily be designed and implemented, and theresistance lining part evenly supports muscles and other parts using auniform pressure. Since the garment body is also sewn only in a smallnumber of positions, it is possible to provide a sports garment thatallows easier movement with no discomfort, thus making the sportsgarment even more practical.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a state in which Example 1 is in use;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a state in which Example 1 is in use duringexercise;

FIG. 3 is a front view showing a state in which Example 2 is in use;

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a state in which Example 2 is in use duringexercise;

FIG. 5 is a side view showing a state in which Example 2 is in use;

FIG. 6 is a rear view showing a state in which Example 2 is in use; and

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing Example 3 from the rear.

Key to Symbols:

1: body

2: garment body

3: resistance lining part

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention (ways of implementing theinvention), and the operation of the present invention will be brieflydescribed based on the accompanying drawings.

When the garment body 2 is worn on the body 1, the resistance liningpart 3 does not easily slide against the skin surface of the body 1, dueto the large frictional resistance of the resistance lining part 3,whereas the internal surfaces of the other parts of the garment body 2have minimal frictional resistance with the body 1, and slide easily.

Accordingly, in the portion of the body 1 in contact with the resistancelining part 3, the movement of skin and the muscles/joints and otherparts in the skin is restricted by the frictional resistance of theresistance lining part 3. By forming the resistance lining part 3 in thetaping direction, movement of muscles/joints and other parts in thisdirection is restricted so as to occur in the appropriate allowablerange according to taping theory, and the effects obtained are the sameas the taping effects aimed at preventing contusions, bruising, musclestrain, and other sports injuries.

The resistance lining part 3 conformed (aligned in the taping direction)with the muscles also acts to move fatigued muscles in the appropriateallowable range. Therefore, muscle tension is alleviated and fatigue isreduced.

Bones that constitute joints are sometimes pulled by muscle tension,which causes joints to become misaligned and painful, but placing theresistance lining part 3 in contact with the skin to create a tapingeffect has the effect of alleviating muscle tension.

A massaging effect on muscles and other parts can be anticipated fromthe frictional movement of the resistance lining part 3 against the skinsurface, thus creating a suitable environment for exercise. Increasedcirculation of blood and lymph, and improvement of poor circulation canalso be anticipated, as well as pain relief and the activation ofnatural analgesic effects in the body.

Accordingly, the inconvenience of applying tape to the body 1 such as intaping is eliminated, and an innovative sports garment is providedwhereby the aforementioned operations/effects on the same part of thebody can be anticipated any number of times and at any time merely bywearing the garment body 2 on the body 1 in the proper manner.

The garment body 2 is preferably made into a type of clothing thatadheres to the body 1, and has such a composition that the resistancelining part 3 always adheres to the skin surface, for example. Theaforementioned operations/effects are thereby demonstrated withsignificant effectiveness.

For example, a configuration is adopted in which the aforementionedgarment body 2 that adheres to the body 1 is used, the aforementionedresistance lining part 3 is formed on an internal surface of the garmentbody 2, and the position at which the resistance lining part 3 adheresto the skin surface of the body 1 does not move in relation to the skinsurface as easily as the other internal surfaces. Satisfactory tapingeffects are thereby obtained in any position from the resistance liningpart 3, and the aforementioned operations/effects are demonstrated withsignificant effectiveness.

Although the resistance lining part 3 may not necessarily be elastic,when an elastic material is used to form the resistance lining part 3,the resistance lining part 3 demonstrates the aforementioned tapingeffects while not compromising the ease of movement of the body 1 onwhich the sports garment is worn, and an environment that enablessignificant ease of movement is obtained.

Furthermore, when, for example, the garment body 2 and the resistancelining part 3 are endowed with elasticity, and the resistance liningpart 3 has less elasticity than the garment body 2, the resistancelining part 3 does not stretch in the same manner as the garment body 2even when the resistance lining part 3 is elastic. The sports garmenttherefore has an extremely effective structure that reliably supportsmuscles and other parts and demonstrates the aforementioned tapingeffects while maintaining ease of movement.

When, for example, the resistance lining part 3 is bonded and fixed tothe internal surface of the garment body 2, it is extremely easy to formthe resistance lining part 3 with the garment body 2, and when, forexample, the resistance lining part 3 is formed in the garment body 2 bysewing, there is a difference in elasticity between the sewn regions andthe garment body 2 during exercise, and muscles and other parts canbecome severely compressed. However, the configuration in which theresistance lining part 3 is bonded reduces the likelihood of anexcessive difference in elasticity such as occurs when the resistancelining part 3 and the garment body 2 are sewn together. The resistancelining part 3 therefore evenly supports the muscles and other parts witha uniform pressure, and since the use of a bonded structure minimizesthe number of sewn regions in the garment body 2, contact betweenstitches and the skin surface is reduced and easier movement andenhanced comfort can be provided.

EXAMPLE 1

A first specific example of the present invention will be describedbased on FIGS. 1 and 2.

In this example, the present invention is applied to long-pant-typeleggings as the garment body 2 that extend from the waist to the ankles.

Specifically, the garment body 2 is formed from an elastic material, andis formed so as to be able to fit the body 1 (lower half of the body)precisely, to suppress unnecessary vibration of muscles, and to reducefatigue.

The garment body 2 is sewn and formed from a material that has minimalfrictional resistance with respect to the skin surface of the body 1,i.e., a material that easily slides against the skin.

In this example, the resistance lining parts 3 are formed on theinternal surface of the garment body 2 by using a material that has highfrictional resistance and does not easily slide with respect to the skinsurface of the body 1.

Specifically, the resistance lining parts 3 are formed using abelt-shaped, linear material, the surface of the material is raised, andfrictional resistance with the skin surface is increased by the piles.

The resulting resistance lining parts 3 having irregular surfaces may beformed by the stitching (weaving) structure, for example, and frictionalresistance with the skin surface may be increased by the surfaceirregularity of the resistance lining parts 3.

In the present example, the resistance lining parts 3 are bonded andfixed to the internal surface of the garment body 2 by an adhesive.

The resistance lining parts 3 are also formed in a direction whereby thesame effects are obtained as a taping effect in which tape is wrappedonto the body 1 to restrict movement of muscles, joints, and other partsso as to prevent contusions, bruising, muscle strain, sprain, bonefracture, and other injury.

According to the taping theory in sports science, tape is applied orwrapped to restrict movement of joints, muscles, or the like and toreinforce joints, muscles, and other parts, or the tape is applied toprevent unnecessary force from being applied to the taped parts. Thistheory was researched in order to protect joints, ligaments, muscles,bones, and other parts of the body 1 from the legs, arms, and hips tothe shoulders, neck, and fingers, and to prevent the occurrence andrecurrence of contusions, bruising, muscle strain, sprain, fracture, andother sports injuries.

In the present example, a design is adopted so that the region from thewaist to the calves in particular is protected according to theaforementioned taping theory.

Specifically, based on this theory, the resistance lining parts 3 havinga large amount of frictional resistance with respect to the skin areformed in meandering fashion in the length direction of the lower bodyso as to extend from the wearer's waist to the buttocks, hips, knees,and calves.

Furthermore, one or both of the band-shaped and/or linear resistancelining parts 3 slightly curved along the length direction of the musclefibers of the waist, buttocks, hips, knees, and calves of the wearer areformed so as to extend from the upper edge of the waist part of theinternal surface of the garment body 2 to the bottom (lower) ends of thecalves. A configuration is adopted that is based on the theory thatjoint protection and protection of muscles from the waist to thebuttocks, hips, knees, and calves can be anticipated when one of theresistance lining parts 3 comes in contact with (slides against) theskin surface and restricts movement of the skin in the taping direction,and this protection makes it possible to prevent the occurrence orrecurrence of muscle strain in the lower body, contusions of the hipjoints and knee joints, and other sports injuries. The drawings show acase in which the resistance lining parts 3 are formed on the outsideparts of the body 1 in the foot parts in particular.

Accordingly, the resistance lining parts 3 that are set withconsideration for the movement of the muscles of the lower body, or themovement of the hip and knee joints, are configured so as to preventcontusions, muscle strain, or the like, as well as to enhance the fit onthe body 1 and even further reduce fatigue during exercise.

The resistance lining parts 3 in the present example are also elastic,and the elasticity of the resistance lining parts 3 is set so as to beless than the elasticity of the garment body 2.

Specifically, the resistance lining parts 3 are formed using an elasticmaterial, and the elastic material used for the resistance lining parts3 has less elasticity than the elastic material used for the garmentbody 2.

A configuration may also be adopted in which the elasticity of theresistance lining parts 3 is made less than the elasticity of thegarment body 2 by a technique in which the resistance lining parts 3 areformed by stacking two layers of material that have the same elasticityas the garment body 2.

Accordingly, the resistance lining parts 3 are elastic. However, theresistance lining parts 3 do not stretch to the same degree as thegarment body 2 but demonstrate appropriate elasticity, reliably supportmuscles and other parts, and produce the aforementioned taping effectswhile ensuring ease of movement.

Since the skin also follows the stretching of the garment body 2 eventhough a large frictional resistance is imparted to the skin surface bythe resistance lining parts 3 during exercise, an environment allowseasy movement (easy movement of the body). As a result, effects aredemonstrated whereby the range in which muscles and tendons can move isincreased within an appropriate range.

Specifically, only the skin surfaces of muscles, tendons, or othercertain parts move due to garment wearing and exercise, and internaltissues can easily move without the skin itself continuing to press onthe muscles and other parts.

In the present example, a case was described in which the presentinvention was applied to a pant-type garment body 2, but the presentinvention may also be applied to a jacket-type garment body 2 to impartthe taping effects to the arms, shoulders, and other parts.

EXAMPLE 2

A second specific example of the present invention will be describedbased on FIGS. 3 through 6.

The present example is of a case in which a larger number of theresistance lining parts 3 in Example 1 is added to achieve a wide rangeof muscle protection or prevention of the recurrence of sports injuries.

Specifically, the resistance lining parts 3 of the present example arecomposed of a tensor fascia lata muscle lining 3A, a tibialis anteriormuscle lining 3B, an L4-5 lining 3C, gluteus medius linings 3D, aquadriceps femoris muscle lining 3E, and a gracilis muscle lining 3F.

The tensor fascia lata muscle lining 3A is formed on the outside of theupper thigh, and the lower portion is formed along the tensor fascialata muscle that transfers to the iliotibial tract and extends to theoutside of the knee. The tensor fascia lata muscle assists in bendingand rotating the hips, extending the knee joints, and other movements.Force is applied to this area during sprinting and other forcefulstepping with the legs, and the leg stamina is reduced when this muscleis injured. The tensor fascia lata muscle lining 3A is capable ofpreventing the occurrence or recurrence of sports injury to the tensorfascia lata muscle.

The tibialis anterior muscle lining 3B is formed at the muscle on theoutside of the shin of the lower leg (portion below the knee), and alongthe tibialis anterior muscle that extends from below the knee to thefront of the sole of the foot. The tibialis anterior muscle raises androtates the foot inward. This muscle is used for kicking out and landingduring running, and is always in a tensed state when the body is in aforward-bent posture during skiing. A sprain can easily occur when thismuscle is fatigued. The tibialis anterior muscle lining 3B is capable ofpreventing the occurrence or recurrence of sports injury to the tibialisanterior muscle.

The L4-5 (L is an abbreviation for “lumbar,” and 4 and 5 are the fourthand fifth of five lumbar vertebrae) lining 3C is a transversely directedlining formed so as to pass through positions that correspond to thefourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae. The lumbar vertebrae control numerousactions in exercise, such as vibration due to jumping, sudden stops, andrapid twisting. The L4-5 lining 3C is capable of preventing theoccurrence or recurrence of sports injury to the lumbar vertebrae.

The gluteus medius linings 3D reduce the burden on the gluteus mediusmuscles and are formed in a layer below the gluteus maximus muscles andin a position along the gluteus medius muscles somewhat above thegluteus maximus muscles. The gluteus medius muscles stabilize themovement of the hip joints. These muscles are necessary for balanceduring walking or exercise, and when these muscles are weakened, thepelvis and thigh muscles lose stability and are easily affected duringsports that require balance in a crouching position, such as sumowrestling, wrestling, and baseball defense. The gluteus medius linings3D are capable of preventing the occurrence or recurrence of sportsinjury to the gluteus medius muscles.

The quadriceps femoris muscle linings 3E are formed along the quadricepsfemoris muscles that are composed of four muscle heads at the front ofthe thighs, i.e., the rectus femoris muscle, the medial vastus muscle,the lateral vastus muscle, and the intermediate vastus muscle. Thequadriceps femoris muscles provide significant power to extension of theknees. These muscles are in the thigh region that is most important insports, and injury to the knees easily occurs when the quadricepsfemoris muscles are fatigued during sports in which a large burden isplaced on the legs, such as in track and field events, soccer,volleyball, basketball, and skiing. The quadriceps femoris musclelinings 3E are capable of preventing the occurrence or recurrence ofsports injury to the quadriceps femoris muscles.

The gracilis muscle linings 3F are formed inside the thighs, along thethin muscle, i.e., gracilis muscle, extending from the crotch to belowthe knee. The gracilis muscle assists in inward rotation of the leg andthe hip joint. The gracilis muscle serves to prevent the knee fromturning inward due to fatigue. The gracilis muscle linings 3F arecapable of preventing the occurrence or recurrence of sports injury tothe gracilis muscle.

EXAMPLE 3

A third specific example of the present invention will be describedbased on FIG. 7.

In the present example, the present invention is applied to along-sleeve jacket as the garment body 2 that is designed so that theback area in particular is protected according to the taping theory ofExample 1.

Specifically, the resistance lining parts 3 having high frictionalresistance with respect to the skin are formed in the length directionof the upper body so as to extend from the upper back of the wearer tothe lower back.

Specifically, belt-shaped resistance lining parts 3 adjacent to theshoulder blades and latissimus dorsi muscles of the back are formed onthe left and right portions other than the spine portion so as to extendfrom the upper edge of the back to the bottom (lower) edge of the backof the internal surface of the rear side of the garment body 2. Aconfiguration is adopted that is based on the theory that shoulder jointprotection and protection of muscles in the back can be anticipated whenthe resistance lining parts 3 come in contact with (slide against) theskin surface and restrict movement of the skin in the taping direction,and this protection makes it possible to prevent the occurrence orrecurrence of muscle strain in the upper body, contusions of theshoulder joints, and other sports injuries.

Effects are also anticipated whereby the dorsal muscles are extended andposture is corrected, and enhanced ease of arm muscle extension andbreathing stability during exercise are obtained. Since the arms alsomove about the shoulder blades, a state is created in which the armsmove easily, and exercise is facilitated through the taping effects thatallow the arms to move properly.

In the present example, a configuration is adopted in which theresistance lining parts 3 are provided to areas other than the spineportion, whereby the spine portion extends more easily than the portionsin which the resistance lining parts 3 are present. The conformingproperties of the garment with respect to exercises such as twisting andforward-backward and side-to-side movement thereby remain the same, andheat-releasing effects can be anticipated in parts where moreperspiration occurs and accumulates more easily.

Accordingly, contusions, muscle strain, or other injuries are prevented,the fit to the body 1 is enhanced, and exercise fatigue is even furtherreduced by resistance lining parts 3 that are designed withconsideration for the movement of upper body muscles and shoulderjoints.

The present invention is not limited by Examples 1 through 3, and thespecific configuration of structural conditions may be designed asappropriate.

1-5. (canceled)
 6. A sports garment characterized in that a garment bodyfor adhering to a body is formed using a material that has lowfrictional resistance and slides easily against the skin surface of abody; a resistance lining part is formed on the internal surface of thegarment body by using a material that has high frictional resistance anddoes not easily slide against the skin surface of a body; a position atwhich the resistance lining part adheres to a skin surface of the bodyvaries less easily than that of another adhering internal surface of thegarment body; said garment body and said resistance lining part areformed so as to be elastic, and an elasticity of the resistance liningpart is set so as to be less than an elasticity of the garment body; andthe resistance lining part is formed in a direction whereby the sameeffects are obtained as a taping effect in which tape is wrapped onto abody to restrict movement of muscles, joints, and other parts so as toprevent contusions, bruising, muscle strain, sprain, bone fracture, andother injury.
 7. The sports garment according to claim 1, characterizedin that said resistance lining part is bonded and fixed to an internalsurface of said garment body.